I missed the Saturday Celebration post, so I am double-dipping today.
I want to celebrate good old-fashioned snail mail. This week I received the invitation to my daughter’s wedding (coming up very soon on Oct. 1st), a #clmooc postcard from Karen Fasimpaur (she tells me she lived and taught in Tanzania?!), and a poetry exchange card from Joy Acey (make that 2 cards from Joy: the heart and the zebras.)
I celebrate the connections I have made through this blogging adventure that encourages me daily.
Today is #DigiLitSunday. I tweeted out the topic of #motivation. This year is my tenth year teaching young gifted students. I have redefined my role of teacher from someone who imparts knowledge to someone who motivates learning. My students are way smarter than I am when it comes to a measurement of intelligence. I am ineffective if I stand before them and tell them what to do. It just doesn’t work.
I have learned the art of motivation. And technology has been right beside me. I love Animoto for its immediate access to cool designs and background music for video production. I turned to Animoto this week to motivate my students to explore Wonders on Wonderopolis and to practice creating a thesis statement.
My students were motivated by choice as well. Many of them find interest areas through their reading. I Survived has become a favorite series. Andrew wanted to know more about tsunamis after reading I Survived the Japanese Tsunami. He watched videos, read a Wonderopolis post, and then branched out to search further questions.
https://animoto.com/play/n3d0IBO9cYPBika3Qvpsbw
Kaiden was inspired to learn about club foot from the book The War that Saved my Life.
https://animoto.com/play/Zg4LoPd9OK0ic8DUZw003w
Some students were motivated by watching each other’s videos. Jacob decided to research earthquakes after seeing Andrew’s video about tsunamis. (Andrew and Jacob attend different schools, but they keep in touch on our Kidblog site.)
https://animoto.com/play/1HeO0cLG9UzW2zyqIqT0Ow
Motivation can come from me, the teacher, from other students, or from books, and even from conversations. I went to Tanzania, Africa this summer and was chatting with Lynzee about the giraffes I saw. She wanted to know why giraffes have such long necks. Wonderopolis answered her question. Here is her video.
https://animoto.com/play/tDObOEEkWmOjbf1162Gzew
Obviously, I had a hard time choosing which video to share with you. Another cool aspect of teaching with choice and technology is the variety of projects that are produced. My students can now learn from each other as we post each video on our Kidblog site.
Please share your motivating #DigiLitSunday posts here.
I am with you on motivating by giving choice! I love how you seamlessly integrate print and digital resources! Wonderful projects!
My post on motivation is at: https://hwlearninglinks.wordpress.com/2016/09/04/diglitsunday-motivation/
I guess that “slow mail” was very exciting to imagine the special wedding coming! The videos from your students are great, showing choice can make a big difference. Have a wonderful rest of the weekend, Margaret.
Motivation and choice are so closely linked, aren’t they? And I, too, LOVE snail mail!! I got two cards this week and they both brightened my day!!
I’m with you on choice! It sparks motivation. Beautiful work.
A wonderful post! Beautifully and seamlessly put together. It has certainly motivated me this morning!
WOW there are so many ideas to lift from your post! My favorite line that I am “stealing” is about motivation for students. Building that attribute in students is so important in all students. Enjoy your Sunday 🙂
[…] post is part of “DigiLit Sunday,” hosted by Margaret Simon at Reflections on the Teche. Please be sure to visit her there to read more Digilit Sunday […]
Terrific post, Margaret! You’re right: choice is key. I love that your students were inspired to create these great videos by books they read.
Margaret, all the best with the upcoming wedding. I can’t wait to see the photos. The topic of motivation is one that important in creating student-centered filled with curiosity and passion. Your students’ videos are fine examples of providing choice so voice can be amplified.
Love seeing your students’ work. They are so lucky to have you as their guide in the classroom! I’m wishing I could share your student work with a classroom. Oh well, I’ll just send the link to my teacher friends. Connections through blogging are so powerful! And like you, I celebrate those pieces of “real mail” that make it to my mailbox.